Church and mosque demolished in refugee camp

A makeshift church and mosque that had been constructed in a refugee camp in northern France have been demolished by the authorities, reports AP.

An official said they were attempting to clear a 100m security zone around the perimeter of the Calais camp known as the “Jungle”, but a charity spokesman said migrants had been promised the worship places would not be destroyed.

“It was agreed that the church and the mosque would stay. By demolishing them, the authorities are showing contempt for NGOs [non-governmental organisations] and are seeking conflict with the migrants who used these places,” Auberge des Migrants’ Christian Salome told the Voix du Nord newspaper.

The church’s pastor clashed with police during the demolition. There is still one church in the camp – named St. Michael’s, as World Watch Monitor reported in August 2015 – and a handful of mosques.